Paring knife having a handle grooved for finger rests



Aug. 29, 1950 A. BJBELL PARING KNIFE HAVING A-HANDLE GROOVED FOR FINGER RESTS Filed Nov. 27, 1948 l/wiaigaah M m immkfi MMWM I 7 00 A F mm .5

Patented Aug. 29, 31950 ,t

UNITED sTATEs PATENT. OFFICE PARING KNIFE HAVING A HANDLE GROOVED FOR FINGER RESTS Alfred B. Bell, Philadelphia, Pa. Application November 27, 1948, Serial No. 62,376

2 Claims.

This invention has general reference to knives and relates more particularly to the species or: form thereof in which the handle portion in cludes transverse finger grooves or rests designed.

to position the users fingers for the obtainment of a firm grip on the knife.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an improved knife, the handle of which is of novel formation and cross-section, as well as having all of the finger grooves or notches on the back edge or remote from the cutting edge thereof.

Another object of my invention is to provide an improved paring knife the handle portion of which can be equally well grasped by either a right-handed, or a left-handed, person without in any way impairing its utility.

A further object is to provide a paring knife of the species indicated in the preceding paragraph embodying refinements efiective to prevent cramping of the fingers of the hand, or longitudinal slippage, when gripped in use.

Other objects, features and ancillary advantages or my invention will be hereinafter set forth in the description of the accompanying sheet of illustrative drawings, forming a part thereof, and in which:

Fig. l is a side View of a paring knife embodying the improvements of my invention.

Fig. 2 is an edge or back View looking from the left toward the right hand of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a similar view to the preceding but looking from the right towards the left hand of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a section taken approximately as indicated by the angled arrows IV-IV in Fig. 1; and,

Fig. 5 is a pictorial view illustrative of how the improved paring knife is comfortably gripped in the hand, and having the major portion of the blade broken away to compact said view.

Referring more in detail to the drawings the reference character 6 comprehensively indicates the novel handle of my invention, and I similarly designates the blade. In the drawings I have shown the handle 6 as being of the molded or one piece type with the tang 8 of the blade 1 preferably, although not essentially, embedded therein. More specifically the blade I is blanked or otherwise formed to embody a cutting portion 9 with the aligned tang 8 having corrugate, approximately parallel edges Ill and a similar end II, as well as aligned or longitudinally-spaced round ended slots [2, for

2 embedment in the molded handle 6. The handle 6 may be made of any suitable material such as plastic, for example, and it will be understood that connection of the blade 1 thereto, in the manner described, ensures rigid attachment, while the rounding of the parts It, II and H eliminates sharp corners and thereby effectively prevents development of cracks whenever the blade 1 is unduly strained.

Referring now to the handle 6, the same is of novel contour, Fig. 1, and cross section, Fig. 4, with the back edges l3 of somewhat bulbous formation and embodying differential transversely related notches l4, l5, l6 and H which merge into curvilinearly-directed opposed ridges l8 flanking said back edge. It is also to be particularly observed that the inner or front edge [9, Fig. 4 of the handle 6 is of undulate formation and approximately pear shaped cross section. In other words, the front edge I!) is appropriately formed to comfortably seat in the hollow of the hand at 2!! against the ball of the thumb, see Fig. 5, with the second joints 2|, 22, 23 and 24 bent ver, or seating in, the finger notches l4, l5, l6 and M respectively. In addi tion it is to be noted that the back and front edges l3, l9 inwardly merge into opposed conlcavities or hollows 25, Fig. 4, which serve as comfortable grippage seats for the first joint or finger tips 26, Fig. 5. On an examination of Fig, 5 it will be clearly apparent that the tips '25 of the fingers 2|, 22 and 24 bracingly engage the handle front edge l9, whereas the tip 26 of the third finger 23 may conveniently seat in a suitable flared hole 21, normally serviceable for hanging up the knife when not in use.

From the foregoing it is believed the merits and features of my invention will be readily understood, but it is desired to stress the following advantages. First it will be obvious from Fig. 5 that the handle 6 is formed along what may be conveniently termed anatomical lines whereby it may be grasped with physical comfort and a maximum of movement restraining effect relative to the users hand. In the second place it is to be particularly remarked that the forward end 28 of the handle 6 is of comparatively substantial proportions for extension over the adjoining end of the blade 1 and thereby materially conduces to the rigidity of said blade while reinforcing and protecting the tang 8, at its most critical point, against fracture or breakage. Furthermore, it will be seen from Fig. 5 that the handle being held comfortably, as above stated, leaves the user's thumb 29 free for manipulation during paring or otherwise using the knife, while the four fingers are effectively positioned and safeguarded against injury by the cutting edge 9 of the blade 1.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a knife, the combination of a blade having a cutting edge and a back edge with a tang remote from the blade point; a handle embodying a bulbous section rear edge with differential transverse notches merging into opposed cur'vilinear ridges flanking said back edge; an undulate front edge of similar but smaller cross-sec tion opposing the back edge, with said front edge embodying an outwardly expanded portion proximate its butt end for snug engagement against the ball of the users thumb; shallow cavities mergingly intervening between the aforesaid curvilinear ridges with said undulate front edge forming the grip portion of the handle, and said undulate front edge also providing firm abutment for the finger tips of the users right or left hand.

2. The invention of claim 1 further including a suspension hole through the concaved grip portion of the handle; and wherein said hole is flared at both sides for engagement by the tip of the third finger of the users right or left hand.

ALFRED B. BELL.

REFERENCES CITED I The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,728,619 Lambert Sept. 17, 1929 2,124,615 Foltz July 26, 1938 2,421,339 Leger May 27, 1947 

